Homeowner uses sword to scare off burglar

ELYRIA — Jay Ream didn’t think that his sword collection would come in handy, but it did.

Ream said he used one of the swords to thwart a burglar around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Ream said he was in the basement of his Georgia Avenue home doing laundry when he heard what sounded like “a lightning crack.” When a door thumped against the wall, Ream said he realized someone was breaking into his home.

Ream grabbed a sword from his collection and said he yelled, “Who’s there? I’m armed!”

He then heard someone say, “Oh (expletive)” and run from the home.

Ream chased the burglar, who he described as a white male in his late teens or early 20s with a goatee. He said the man ran down the road and disappeared as a black car with several young men in it drove by. He described the vehicle as an older-model, two-door sports car. No arrests were made by 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, according to police Sgt. Deena Baker.

Ream said he was shocked by the incident, believing his neighborhood was safe. He said it was the first burglary attempt at the home since he moved to the area in 2005. Nonetheless, Ream said he wasn’t scared.

“It all just happened so fast,” he said, adding that he’s trained in self-defense.

Ream began collecting swords after a stint in theater in college made him interested in fencing.

Ream hopes that he will not have to use one of the weapons against a future burglar and warned neighbors in the area so that they would be on high alert.

“If you see somebody at a neighbor’s door, don’t be afraid to call them and ask if they’re expecting company,” he said.

Police spokesman Lt. Chris Costantino said there have been a series of burglaries around the city but no real pattern. He recommended residents who see a suspicious vehicle or person call police immediately at 323-3302.